Efforts to address rising cancer rates in Houston’s Fifth Ward continue with the launch of a new early cancer detection program aimed at empowering residents to take control of their health. KPRC 2 has been following these developments closely for years, and today marks a significant milestone in these efforts.
The program, known as the Cancer Stage Shifting Initiative (C-SSI), will offer screenings and care resources to historically underserved communities. Council Member Letitia Plummer will enroll the first patient at Grace Clinic in the Fifth Ward.
The initiative is part of a larger, multi-year effort led by the National Minority Quality Forum. It aims to improve early cancer detection, advance research, and provide follow-up care for marginalized groups. This is especially crucial given previous reports of elevated levels of toxic chemicals in the water and soil around the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, which has been designated a cancer cluster by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Thursday night, the documentary Fifth Ward Exposed: Community, Contamination, and Cancer premiered at the Deluxe Theater from 5 to 8 p.m., shedding light on the environmental challenges faced by the community.
Representatives from the National Minority Quality Forum were also there to discuss the program’s enrollment and its potential impact.
Council Member Plummer encouraged the public to attend the screening to learn more about the program and the steps being taken to address this ongoing health crisis.
SEE ALSO: 75-year-old shares story about Fifth Ward cancer cluster and how it impacted her life
KPRC 2′S COVERAGE OF CANCER CLUSTER IN FIFTH WARD:
